WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court today refused a request by tobacco companies to vacate a ruling requiring them to finance a 10-year $240 million smoking cessation program in Louisiana.

The Associated PressThe U.S. Supreme Court on Monday left intact a 2004 court decision to fund a $240 million smoking cessation program in Louisiana

The ruling was made without comment.

Stephen Herman, one of the lead attorneys, said the ruling clears the way for Civil Judge Richard Ganucheau to determine how the money will be spent.

He had previously said he would appoint a third-party administrator to oversee the program, which could include reimbursement for smoking cessation medication, telephone "quit lines," and other programs.

"After a three-year trial and a seven-year appeals process going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, we are happy that the court-supervised programs awarded by the jury in 2004 can now be funded so that smokers can get assistance in quitting from qualified Louisiana healthcare providers," Herman said.

The judge is also likely to determine the plaintiffs' legal fees for the marathon legal case.